Educational Aims and Learning Outcomes
The Ph.D. is the highest academic degree offered by the University. Those who earn it must demonstrate significant intellectual achievement, high scholarly ability, and great breadth of knowledge. In addition, doctoral work requires heavy participation in research or other kinds of creative activity. The educational aims of the Programme are to give the students the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision; to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests; to broaden their horizon above and beyond the focus of their research thriugh specific training in transferable skills.
Within the three years of the Ph D course, students must obtain a minimum number of 60 credits (CFU) on the basis of courses, seminars and practical activities. A detailed description of the specific regulations and credits requirements is available at the following link.
Students can choose their own bespoke series of courses and workshops from an extensive and evolving range. The available courses are listed at the following link. Researcher Development opportunities, to enhance transferable skillset and ultimate employability as well as Careers Sessions are organized by the Doctoral School.
An essential part of the PhD programme is a research period in a University or Research Centre in a foreign country.
A period of at least three months for such activity is mandatory. The total amount of time spent abroad cannot exceed 18 months.
At the end of each year students must present an Annual Report on their activity of the past year. The template is available at the following link.
At the end of the second year, students will give a seminar on their research activity to the Academic board of the School, in order to show that their research activity is sufficiently advanced. Suggestions for giving talks area availble at the following page
The PhD Thesis is written in English. Note that it is expected that the research work for the thesis should lead to at least two publications in peer refereed journals. A Thesis without publications will not be in general considered acceptable.
By the end of the programme, students will have:
- a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;
- demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
- shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
- demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research;
- followed a comprehensive transferable skills training programme to develop skills and attributes for future careers.